While guns are the star at SHOT Show, knives have a strong supporting role. It’s almost impossible to see everything during SHOT, particularly if you’re trying to cover a number of different product categories. With that said, here are 10 of the folding knives that caught my eye during this year’s SHOT Show.
1. Benchmade 535-09 Bugout
Benchmade’s Bugout is one of my all-time favorite EDC knives. When I looked in the Benchmade case at SHOT Show the newest 535-09 model immediately jumped out at me. The 535-9 is the first Bugout to have a bolster. It uses a gray anodized 6061-T6 aluminum frame with Redstone Richlite onlays for a unique two-tone look. It also has some orange accent parts like the anodized thumb stud and back spacer.
This Bugout has a 3.24-inch stonewashed blade of premium CPM-S90V stainless steel. Like all of the series it uses an Axis lock and has a reversible pocket clip. Weight is just 2.52 ounces. Benchmade’s Bugout is made in the USA and has an MSRP of $400.00.
2. Case Knives Crossroads
Case Knives is one of the oldest and most respected knifemakers in America. For SHOT Show 2025, they didn’t disappoint with the release of the new Crossroads. The Crossroads is a Sod Buster Jr. slipjoint pattern with a 2.8-inch stonewashed blade of S35VN stainless steel.
Handle options are Black Burlap Laminate with Dayglow G-10, Brown Green Laminate Wood. or Green Laminate Wood. It has brass liners and a screwed-together construction. The Crossroads is a nice blend of traditional design with modern materials. MSRP is just $84.99
3. Civivi Merit Flipper
The Civivi Merit flipper is a nice-sized EDC with good features at a good price. It’s a flipper opener with a 3.28-inch, flat ground, drop point blade. It uses 14C28N stainless steel with a satin or black stonewashed finish. The handles are canvas micarta and available in black, OD green, and purple.
MSRP on the black and OD ones is only $58.70. The purple one is a couple of bucks more at $61.20. If you want something a little fancier, Civivi also does a version with a Damascus blade and Ivory G10 scales that is still only $85.00. The Merit has clean lines and feels good in hand. The action is smooth, and the liner lock is extremely positive. It’s a lot of knife for the money.
4. CRKT The M16-03XK
The M16 series knives have been a mainstay of the Columbia River Knife & Tool line for around 25 years now. The latest version seen at SHOT Show, the M16-03XK, now features an ambidextrous Crossbar Lock. Paired with an IKBS ball-bearing pivot and a set of dual thumbstuds it makes for an easy opening and closing EDC knife.
It has a 3.57-inch long spear point blade of D2 steel and a lightweight but rugged Grivory handle. Like the original Ford Model T’s, you can have it any color that you want, so long as it’s black. MSRP is $85.00.
5. Demko Knives Kopis MGAD20
Demko Knives announced the Kopis MGAD20 at the show. They’d been teasing this one on social media for a bit and had them on display at the show. The Kopis uses a 3.25-inch recurve-style blade. The initial ones will be in MagnaCut or 20V, with other steels being offered throughout the year.
Three handle variations will be available: the Canoe, Full Fingers, and Traditional (Big Belly) styles. Handles will be either G10 ( $450), Carbon Fiber ($550), or Titanium ($750). The Kopis MGAD20s are made in the USA, and you can expect them to officially drop at Blade Show Texas this March.
6. ESEE Knives Zancudo Auto
ESEE Knives has taken their popular Zancudo model and turned it into an auto. Using a slide (crossbar) lock mechanism, the Zancudo is now even faster and easier to use. The new autos are made in the USA. They feature 3-inch blades of 14C28N Stainless Steel with a flat grind and stonewash finish.
Handles are of black G10, and they have a pocket clip set up for tip-up, right-hand carry. MSRP is $139.95, although if you shop around you can find them under $100 currently.
7. Eutektik Knives Binary
Liong Mah has added the Binary to his Eutektik line. I’ve been very impressed with this series for its clean lines, smooth actions, and solid construction. The Binary is a front flipper opening knife with a 3.75-inch drop point blade of 14c28n stainless steel. It uses a nested liner lock under G10 scales and comes with a deep carry pocket clip.
You have a variety of handle colors to choose from, including black, blue, orange, green, purple, and jade. Blades are available with both blackwash and stonewash finishes. Right and left-handed versions are also available. MSRP on the Binary is $85.00, although they’re currently 10% off from Liong Mah’s website.
8. Spartan Blades Special Edition Folders
Spartan Blades always releases a number of limited edition folders every year. They’re based on the Spartan-Harsey Folder (SHF) and have a 4-inch blade of MagnaCut steel. The SHF is a frame lock design with handles made from 6AL-4V titanium. What really sets them apart, though is the artwork applied to each handle. The designs are done by Spartan co-founder Curtis Iovito. Curtis has an impressive military background but he’s also an amazing artist, as exhibited by the limited edition SHF knives put out each year.
This year, the SHOT Show themes were ‘Kilroy Was Here” of WWII fame, an angelic scene, an Egyptian theme, and, appropriately enough, a Spartan theme. There are probably official names for each model, but honestly, I was a little in awe looking at them and probably missed them. That sounds a little fanboy, but Curtis really does impressive work.
MSRP on the special edition SHF knives is usually about $575.00. Keep an eye on Spartan’s website or reach out to them if you’re interested in finding out when these new models are ready to drop.
9. Spyderco Roadie XL
It’s hard not to find something you like at Spyderco. One of the neater knives I saw this time around was the Roadie XL. The original Roadie was designed to be TSA-compliant back when they were considering allowing knives on airplanes again. The TSA, being what it is, never followed through with that plan. Spyderco went ahead and made the Roadie anyway, and it was a neat little slipjoint knife. Now they’ve embigguned it into the Roadie XL.
The XL has a 2.74-inch blade of Bohler M398 stainless steel with a satin finish. It’s a Sheepsfoot pattern and has a round divot in the blade for opening. The XL has black FRN handles and a wire pocket clip. Weight is just 1.5 ounces. The Roadie XL is made in Italy and should be legal to carry just about anywhere that you can bring a knife at all. MSRP is $115.00.
10. White River Knives Trailhead Trapper
White River Knives, in conjunction with Smith and Sons Knife Company, released their first folder ever at SHOT Show 2025, the Trailhead Trapper. The Trailhead Trapper is a mix of classic slipjoint design and modern manufacturing and materials. It has a 3.1-inch blade of CPM S35VN Steel and a variety of handle materials.
You can get natural Burlap Micarta, Olive Drab Micarta, Maple and Black Richlite, or Carbon Fiber Burl. The knives are finished with custom touches like relieved liners to eliminate tang scratching and hand profiled spines. Prices range between $250.00 and $300.00 depending on options.
